Sealing machine



Feb. 29, 1944. J wlLLlAMS 2,343,104

SEALING MACHINE Filed ma o, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 J" 1 I w W. flz 1/8 151 l I I 6 Z in 11 /I ZJYWQ/YVM db)? J William:

Feb. 29, 1944.

-.|. J. WILLIAMS SEALING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 AQN m uuwsow S Ffiw N6 293 E Jahn (I William J; J. WILLIAMS 2,343,104

SEALING MACHINE Feb. 29, 1944.

Filed May 20, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 III/VII) ILLIA SEALING MA H Filed May 20 1940 5 Sheets-s 4 Feb. 29, 1944. J, J, wlLuAM 2,343,104

SEALING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 TO VACUUM MEANS TO VACUUM MEANS John J Patentc d Feli. 29, 1944- SEALING MACHINE John J. Williams, Wheeling, W. Va., assignor to Hazel-Atlas Glass Company, Wheeling, W. Va., a corporation of West Virginia Application May 20, 1940, Serial No. 336,288

9 Claims.

The invention relates to a machine for hermetically sealing containers, particularly glass containers, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide a machine in which vacuum may be employed in conjunction with a vapor such as steam, or with the application of vacuum without the used steam, or merely as a sealer without either the application of steam or vacuum. r

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for automatically controlling the application of vacuum and steam.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of means for lifting the closures from the containers, when steam is employed.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, from the following detailed description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure l is an elevational view of the apparatus; parts being shown in section.

Figure-2 is a horizontal sectional view of the apparatus, take. on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

mechanism controlling the application of steam and vacuum. 7

Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8, and

Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line Ill-Ill of Figure 8.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, numeral 1 indicates a motor which is slidably mounted for adjustment by a handwheel 2. The motor drives a variable speed pulley 3 which is connected with a pulley 4 by means of a belt 5. The pulley 4 is secured to the countershaft 6 mounted in bearing 1. By adjusting the motor toward or from the countershaft 6, by means of the handwhee12, the speed of the countershaft is varied as desired, in the well known manner.

Numeral 8 refers to a clutch onithe countershaft 6. When the clutch is thrown in aspeed reducer 9 is operated by means of gears Ill and- II and connecting chain l2. On the vertical shaft [3 of the speed reducer is mounted a gear l4, and this gear meshes with a ring gear l5, which drives a rotary carrier l6 having a number of sealing chambers H. The rotation of the carrier is controlled by the clutch8.

The countershait 6 is connected with a speed reducer 18, by means of a coupling IS. The slow speed shaft of this speed reducer is extended and mounted in a bearing 2|. The outer end of the shaft 20 carries a sprocket 22. This sprocket is connected with a sprocket 23' by means of a chain 24, for driving an endless conveyer 25. It is thus apparent that when the motor I .is started the conveyer 25 will carry a supply of containers 26 into position ready for transfer to the rotary carrier l 6 when it is started, as shown in Figure 2.

. The clutch 8 is then thrown in to start the rotation of the carrier and associated parts.

Numeral 2'! refers to a feed wheel, having pockets 28, which continuously rotates over the continuously travelling conveyer 25. Each pocket of the feed wheel engages a container on the conveyer and sweeps it across an ordinary pan or plate and across the stationary ledge 29 into one of the sealing chambers I1 in the continuously rotating carrier I6. The containers are guided into the sealing chambers by the guide members 30 and 3 i The feed wheel 21 is continuously rotated, in timed relation with the rotary carrier I6, by means of gear wheel 32 on the feed wheel shaft. This gear meshes with the ring gear I 5.

For carrying the sealed containers back to the conveyer 25, there is provided a delivery disc 33. This disc is continuously rotated by means of a gear 34 mounted on the delivery disc shaft and driven from a gear 35 on the feed wheel shaft. by means of a chain 36. The delivery disc 33 preferably rotates at a higher speed than the feed wheel 21, and hence the gear 34 is smaller than the gear 35. The sealed containers are guided from the sealing chambers ll onto the delivery disc 33 and onto the conveyer 25, by means of guide members 31 and 38.

As previously mentioned, the continuously .rotating carrier is is provided with a plurality of sealing chambers ll. In the embodiment illustrated there are ten of these chambers, but of course the number may be greater or less, as desired. In the bottom of each sealing chamber there. may be mounted a plate 39, upon which the containers 25'are placed.

Numeral 40 refers to a spindle housing which is secured to a base plate 4 l.- Bolted to the spindle housing is a table 42. to which is secured a cam plate 43 having a cam groove or track 44.

Mounted within the housing, in appropriate bearings (not shown), is a flanged spindle 45;

the weight 01' the spindle assembly being supported by a ball thrust bearing 46. To the flange of the spindle is bolteda drive plate 41, and secured to the under side of the drive plate is the previously mentioned ring gear l5 which meshes with the gear M. The plate is provided with radially extending keyway-like grooves in which -slides.48 are reciprocated. The slides are kept tainers from the sealing chambers, which means will now be described.

Numeral 5| refers to a rod which is slidably mounted in the rear wall of each sealing chamber. These rods have their rear ends connected with the previously mentioned slides t8, and hence are reciprocated in the proper timed relation with the movements of the sealing chambers, by means of the rollers 58 in the cam track 55. The forward end of each rod 5! carries an L-shaped centering guide and ejector member 52. When the containers have been sealed these members move outwardly to eject them from the rotary carrier, and then the members move backwardly in the sealing chambers, as fresh containers are delivered thereto, into position to accurately center the containers. L-shaped members of different sizes are substituted for centering containers of different diameters.

For the purpose of positioning the packages against the L-shaped member 52, each sealing chamber is provided with a placing finger 53. These fingers are carried by vertical shafts 54, rotatably mounted in the carrier IS. The upper end of each shaft carries a lever 55 and a spring arm 56. A spring 51 has one end attached'to the spring arm, and the other end is attached to a spring holder ring 58. A plunger'jfl, slidably mounted in a housing 60, is associated with each lever 55, and the outer ends of the plungers carry rollers 6| adapted to cooperate with a placing-finger cam 62. The arrangement is such that when the rollers Bl successively engage the cam 62, the plungers 59 will be'moved inwardly to engage the levers 55, and thereby swing the placing fingers clear of the sealing chambers, to permit the ejection of the sealed packages. fresh packages to be sealed are delivered'into the sealing chambers, and the rollers-8i successively ride of! the cam 62,50 that the springs 51 swing the placing-fingers 63 inwardly, thereby causing the package to be forced against the centering angle member 52, where it will be held during thevacuumizing and sealing operations.

Numeral 83 refers to a stationary casing surrounding the rotary carrier or rotor I8, The top and bottom portions 64 and 65 of the casing encircle the rotor completely, but the portion of the casing between the top and bottom. portions extends only about two-thirds of the distance around the rotor, as bestshown invFigure 2.

Thus the sealing chambers 'are closed during two-thirds of a cycle of rotation of the rotor, and are open during the remaining one-third rotation, during which the sealed packages are removed from the sealing chambers and new packages to be sealed are delivered thereto.

A plate 88 mounted on the top of the rotary carrier l4 projects across the top of the stationary casing. 0f course a seal must be effected between the plate and the casing, and for that purpose a groove 81 is provided in the top of the casing, extending completely around the rotary carriage, and a sealing ring 88 carrying suitable packing is fitted in the groove. The

'ring can be adjusted for. correct sealing pressure by means of screws 69. Similarly, the casing and rotary carriage are sealed at the bottom by means of a sealing ring 10 mounted in a groove H, and adiustably pressed against the plate 41 by means of screws I2.

As mentioned hereinbefore, the stationary casing 63 encloses only about two-thirds of themtor I6. Hence a seal must be provided between the rotor and the ends of the casing. For this puropse two vertical spaced grooves 13, 13, are provided adjacent the entrance end of the easing, and two similar vertical spaced grooves 14, It, are provided adjacent the exit end of the casing. Sealing strips l3, l3 and i i, it are mounted in the grooves 73 and it, and are adjustably pressed against the face of the rotor by means of screws 13" and 15-". The grooves of each set are spaced a distance slightly greater than the width of the sealing chambers. In the present embodiment of the invention there is also provided a third set of similarly spaced vertical grooves 15, I5, in which are mounted sealing strips 15, I5, adjustably pressed against the face of the rotor by means of screws 15". This third set of sealing strips is located about two-thirds of the way around the casing, from the entrance end thereof, and they permit the application of two different degrees of vacuum, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

The means for lifting the closures, from the containers, and then sealing the closures on the containers, will now be described, and this will As the rotation of the carrier continues the'vacuum cup holder is loosely mounted in controlling the application of steam and vacuum.

Numeral It refers to'the sealing head housings. Of course one of these is associated with each sealing chamber, and they are mounted on the top plate 66. 'Reciprocably mounted within the housing is a plunger 11, having at its upper end a roller 18. The plunger is urged upwardly, to maintain the roller against the cam ring 19,

by means of, a coil spring 80. This spring has 7 its lower end resting on a washer 8|, andits upper end pressing against ashoulderBZ on the plunger; A packing 83 prevents air from leakbers.

' The plunger is threaded interiorly' to receive. the shank 84-of. asealing head 85. Of course the sealin head canbe vertically adjusted by means ofthe threaded connection between the shank and plunger, and the; sealing head is locked in its adjusted 1 position by means ofa lock nut 86. The sealing head and'its shank are centrally bored'to' receive a vacuum cup holder 81, carrying at its lower end the vacuum cup 88. By reference to Figure 6 it will be noted that the sealing head shank, and may move freely up'and down to .a'limited extent. The vacuum cup holder has its lower portion reduced in diameter to provide a shoulder 89 which normally rests on a shoulder 90 provided in the sealing head shank, thereby supporting the vacuum cup holder. When the sealing head is moved downwardly, to bring the vacuum cup into contact with the closure or cap, the shoulder 89 will be lifted slightly from-the shoulder 9|, so that the weight of the vacuum cup 88 and its holder 81 rests on the closure.

The vacuum cup holder is centrally drilled tov mitted to the vacuum cup through the pipe 94,

will be descriped hereinafter.

As previously mentioned the roller I8 is urged against a cam ring I9 by the coil spring 80.

This cam ring is carried by brackets 95 mounted on the stationary casing 83, and it controls the vertical position of the sealing heads at all times except during the actual sealing of the cap on the container. The actual sealing, and the amount of pressure applied, is controlled by a sealing pressure mechanism, best shown in Figure 4. Numeral 98 refers to a sealing pressure cam. which is in the shape of an arc of a circle, so that the rollers 18 can ride upon it. It is carried by a. plate 91, and held in spaced relation to this plate by spacers 98. Numeral 99 refers to a channel iron which extends entirely across the apparatus, as shown in Figure 3, and has its ends mounted on previously mentioned brackets 95. The channel is provided with a threaded boss I00, to receive the lower end of an adjusting bolt IOI. providev seats for a coil spring I03, which normally holds the plate 91 down against the boss. When the rollers 18 successively pass under the cam 98 the sealing heads will be forced downward to a suflicient extent to seal the closures on the containers, and if the pressure becomes too great the cam will rise against the pressure of the coil spring I03. The pressure of the coil spring is regulated by adjusting a nut I04 on the bolt I 0|.

When the packages are placed in the sealing chambers, the rollers 18 are travelling along a high part of the cam ring 19, so that the sealing head or pad 85 and the vacuum cup 88 are spaced above the cap or closure 9|. At the proper instant the roller reaches a downward projection 19' on the cam ring I9, thereby causing the sealing head to move downwardly until the vacuum cup rests on the top ofthe cap or closure. and the sealing head continues its downward movement for a slight distance so that the vacuum cup holderis in. effect lifted slightly, whereby its weight rests on the cap. The vacuum cup is now vacuumized, as will be described hereinafter, and the roller I8 rides onto a high part of the cam ring I9, whereby the cap or closure is lifted from the container. The sterilizing and vacuumizing operation are now carried out, as will appear hereinafter, and at the proper time the rollers 18 ride down the sealing pressure cam 96 thereby forcing the sealing heads downwardly to an extent suflicient to seal the caps on the containers. When the sealing heads have been moved downwardly air is admitted to the vacuum cups, to release the caps, and the rollers now ride up the cam 98 to the cam ring to lift the sealing heads from the caps. It should Collars I02, on the bolt,

will now be described. The stationary casing 83 is provided with two aligned, spaced, channels I05 and I08. The channel I05 extends from a point adjacent the first set of sealing strips I3, I3 at the entrance end of the casing, to a point adjacent the intermediate set ,of sealing strips I5, I5; and the channel I08 extends from a point adjacent the Opposite side of this set of sealing strips to a point adjacent the sealing strips 14', I5, at the exit end of the casing. It might be mentioned here that if the apparatus were intended for use onlywith steam one continuous channel would be suflicient, but as the'apparatus' is also intended for use with a vacuum pump and without steam, it is desirable to have two separate channels, so that two different degrees of vacuum may be employed.

A pipe I01 leadsto the channel I05, and'a pipe I08 leads to the channel I08. These pipes may be connected with either a source of steam or a source of vacuum. If steam is employed they may be connected to the same source, so that they are in effect a single pipe. But if vacuum is employed they lead to separate sources of vacuum so that a higher degree of vacuum may be maintained during the latter part of the travel of the sealing chambers.

Referring particularly to Figures 8, 9 and 10, numeral I09 indicates a valve body which is bolted to the top plate 86, so that the valve body rotates with the rotor I8. Within the valve body is a valve plug IIO which is stationary. The plug is maintainedin its fixed position by means of pins I I I which extend from the plug into appropriate recesses in a holder II2 which is secured to the channel member 99. A cover ring H3 is secured to the top of the valve body, to hold the valve body and valve plug in correct relation. The purpose of the control valve is to control and time the vacuumizing and venting of the suction cups, and to exhaust the steam or other vapor from the sealing chambers, so as to improve the circulation of the steam and expedite the steaming or vaporizing process.

The lower portion of the valve plug IIO is 'which has its lower end threadedly attached to the wall of passage III. This pipe extends upwardly through an enlarged vertical passage H9 in the valve plug, and leads to a vacuum pump (not shown) or other source of vacuum. As the apparatus rotates, the pipes III will be successively brought into communication with the arcuate channel I I5, whereupon the vacuum acting through the pipe H8, and passages III and, H8, will increase the circulation of the steam, which is being admitted through the channels I05 and I08, thereby improving and facilitating the vaporizing or steaming process. As the rotation of the apparatus continues the pipes I I I pass cut of communication with the channel ,I I5, and

theapplication of the vacuum isshut oil. When steam is not employed, and the channels I05 and I08 are connected with vacuum pumps, there is the circulation of the vapor. lowed by a brief description of how the apparatus no longer any need for he suction pipe H8 and its associated parts, an a valve I20 is therefore provided for closing the pipe I I8.

Numeral I2Irefers toan arcuate channel in the valve plug, and a radial passage I22 connects the passage II9 with this channel. Numeral I23 refers to another arcuate channel in the same plane as the channel I2I, but separated there- 01' vacuum.

from, as clearly shown in Figure 9. This channel I23 communicates, through a horizontal radial passage I24, with a vertical passage I25 which leads to the atmosphere. Leading from the valve body I89, in the plane of the separate arcuate channels HI and I23, are the ten pipes or hose sections. 94. As previously mentioned these pipes connect with .the passage 93 in the'sealing plunger, which communicates with the vacuum cup 88. In the present instance there are ten of the pipes 94, as there are ten sealing chambers in the present embodiment of the apparatus. I

Numeral I26 refers to a pipe which-has its lower end threaded into the wall of the passage H9, and its upper end threadedly connected to' a manifold I21. The internal diameter of the pipe I26 is greater than the external diameter of the pipe II8 which extends therethrough, thereby leaving a passage I28 which communicates with the passage H9 and with the interior of the manifold I21.

The pipe II8 extends through a suitable stuffing box I29 in the top of the manifold, and connects with a vacuum pump or other source of vacuum, as previously described.

' A pipe I30 is connected with the manifold and leads to a vacuum pump or other source of vacuum. As the apparatus rotates the pipes 94 are successively brought into communication with the arcuate channel I2I, whereupon the vacuum acting through the passages I22, II9, I28, the manifold I21, and pipe I30, vacuumizes the vacuum cup 88 which is now in contact with the cap or closure 9|, whereupon the vacuum cup is elevated to lift the cap from the container. The continued rotation of the apparatus carries the pipes successively out of communication with the channel I2I and into communication with the arcuate channel I23, whereupon the pipes successively communicate with the atmosphere, through passagesl24 and I25. The vacuum-cups 88 are thus vented to thereby release the caps from the cups. This venting of the vacuum cups occurs after the caps have been sealed on the containers.

When the containers are vacuumized by a vacuum pump instead of by the vapor method, the cap lifting mechanism is not necessary, and in such case communication between the cap lifting mechanism and a source of vacuum, is shut oil by means of a valve I3l provided in the pipe The operation of the apparatus has been large- 1y described along with the details of construction thereof, nevertheless it seems desirable to describe briefly here the complete operation of In starting the operation the motor I is first started, and th conveyer will carry a supply of filled packages into position ready for transfer to the rotor I6. The closures 9I are loosely mounted on the containers 26, either by hand or machine. The clutch 8 is then thrown in to start the rotary movement of the rotor I8, and the feed wheel 21 geared to rotate therewith.

The pockets of the feed wheel will carry the packages, in proper timed relation, to the sealing chambers I1 of the rotor. From the feed wheel the packages will be guided into the sealing chambers by the guide member 30, and while the packages are entering the chambers, the L-shaped centermg guide and ejector members are being moved back in the chambers by reason, of the rollers 50 riding in the cam track 44.

When packages are being delivered to the sealing chambers, the placing fingers 53 are held out of the path of the packages by the rollers 6| ridmg on'the cam'BZ, but when the packages are in the sealing chambers the rollers will ride off the cam, whereupon the springs 51 close the placing fingers 53, causing the package to be forced against the centering angle 52, where it will be firmly held, in vertical alignment with the sealing head 85, during the entire operation.

The sealing head and the vacuum cup 88 are well above the top of a package when it is being delivered to a sealing chamber, because the roller 18 .is riding on a high part of the cam ring 19. But when the package is fully placed within the sealing chamber, the roller has reached a downward projection 19' on the cam ring, which causes the sealing head and vacuum cup to move downwardly; This downward movement continues until the vacuum cup rests on the top of a cap 9I, and the. cup holder is in effect lifted slightly, causing the weight of the cup holder to rest on the top of the cap.

The pipe 94 of this particular sealing chamber now comes into communication with the channel I2I of the control valve, whereby the cup 88 is vacuumized as previously described. At this stage the sealing chamber has passed the first set of sealing strips 13', 13', and the roller 19 rides up onto the high part of the cam ring 19, and the sealing head is thus raised to its former elevated position. And of course the cup 88 moves upwardly with the sealing head, and as the cup has been vacuumized the cap is lifted off the package.

The cap has now been lifted off the package,

and the sealing chamber is in communication with channel I85, so that the chamber is filled with steam. This steam sterilizes the cap and the container, and also displaces the air, so that when the package is sealed a high vacuum is produced therein by the condensation of the steam upon cooling.

During this steaming or vaporizing period, the

process is expedited and improved bydrawing the steam from the sealing chambers at the same time that steam is being delivered to the chamthe apparatus, from the delivery of a package to be sealed, to the ejection of the sealed package. The operation of the apparatus will now be so described, when in use with steam or other vapor, and the application of vacuum to increase This will'be foloperates with the application of vacuum without the use of steam, and how it operates merely as communication with the channel II5 of the control valve, whereby the sealing chamber is connected through pipe II8 with a source of vacuum,-

to exhaust the steam. Thus there is maintained a continuous circulationof fresh steam, and this is maintained all during the operation, until the package has been sealed.

The continued rotation of the carrier brings the sealing heads 85successively to the sealin pressure cam 96. The contour of this cam causes the sealing head to move downwardly, and in Y breakage is prevented. The container is now sealed, and when the steam in thepackage cools a high vacuum will be produced. This sealing pressure is maintained on the package until the continued movement of the sealing chamber has cut off communication between it and the steam channel I00, and between it and the vacuum channel I I of the control valve.

The seal having been completed, the roller I8 of the sealing head starts to ride up the sealing pressure cam 96, but just before this occurs the pipe 94 comes into communication with the channel I23 of the control valve. This channel communicates with the atmosphere, as previously described, so that the vacuum cup 88 is vented to release the cup from the cap. Thus the sealing head and vacuum cup are elevated ,to free the sealed package.

The continued rotation of the carrier I6 has now carried the particular-sealing chamber past the last set of sealing strips 14', 14, in the stationary casing 63, and the sealed package is ready to be ejected. The roller 6i engages and rides upon the cam 62, to thereby swing the placing finger 53 back into open position so that the package may be freely discharged; and when the sealing chamber is entirely free of the casing 63, the ejector 52 starts to move outwardly by reason of the roller 50 riding in the cam track 44.

The package is thus moved outwardly upon the delivery disc 33, and as previously mentioned this I disc travels with sufiicient speed to carry the package clear of the path of the ejector 52. The sealed package is guided by the guide members 31 and 38 onto the conveyer 25 which originally carried the unsealed package to the sealing apparatus, and the conveyer may now carry the sealed package forward to the next operation, or

to any point desired.

This completes the description of the operation in connection with a single package, but of 1 course it is a continuous operation, with unsealed packages being continuously delivered to the sealing chambers of the rotor, and sealed packages being continuously delivered therefrom.

In the foregoing description the packages have been vacuumized by the steam or vapor method. But as previously mentioned the apparatus is also adapted to the vacuumizing of the packages by a vacuum pump, without the application of steam.

When the apparatus is to be so used, the pipes I01 and I08 which were previously delivering steam, are now connected with vacuum pumps or other sources of vacuum. And in this operation of the apparatus it is not necessary to lift. the caps from the containers, and hence the valve I3I is closed, so there will be no vacuumizing and venting of the vacuum cups 88. And of course the valve I20 is also closed. The operation of the apparatus then proceeds just as before denot by the steam or vapor method, but by the withdrawal of the air in the sealing chamber through the channels l05 and I06. These two separate channels make it possible to maintain -a higher degree of vacuum in the sealing chamber during the latter part of their travel, than in the first part of their travel when the sealing chambers and packages containing air are being continuously brought into communication with the channel I05.

If the apparatus is to be used purely as a sealer, v

- claim is:

1. An apparatus for sealing caps on containers, including a continuously rotating carrier having a plurality of sealing chambers, means for closing the sealing chambers during a part of the rotation of the carrier, means for lifting the caps from the containers, means for admitting steam to the closed chambers, vacuum means for exhausting steam from the closed chambers while steam continues to be admitted thereto and during the continued rotation of the carrier, and means for sealing the caps on'the containers while the chambers remain closed.

2. An apparatus for sealing caps on containers, including a continuously rotating carrier having a plurality of sealing chambers, means for closing the sealing chambers during a part of the rotation of the carrier, a vacuum cup associated with each chamber, means for moving the cup into contact with the cap, means for vacuumizing the cup, and means for lifting the cup and cap, means for admitting the steam to the closed chambers, vacuum means for exhausting steam from the closed chambers while steam continues to be admitted thereto and during the continued rotation of the carrier, means for sealing the caps on the containers while the chambers remain closed, and means for venting the vacuum cups.

3. An apparatus for sealing caps on containers, including a continuously rotating carrier having a plurality of outwardly opening sealing chambers, a stationary casing partly surrounding the carrier and closing the sealing chambers during a part of the rotation of the carrier, said casing having an inner channel extending part way therearound and communicating with the. sealing chambers, means for delivering steam to said channel and thence to the sealingchambers, vacuum means for exhausting steam from the closed chambers while steam continues to be admitted thereto and during the continued rotation of the carrier, means associated with each sealing chamber for lifting the caps from the containers, and means for sealing the caps on the containers.

4. An apparatus for sealing caps on containers, including a continuously rotating carrier having a plurality of outwardly opening sealing chambers,'a stationary casing partly surrounding the carrier and closing the sealing chambers during a part of the rotation of the carrier, said casing having an inner channel extending part way therearound and communicating with the sealing chambers, means for delivering steam to said channel and thence to the sealing chambers, a pipe communicating with each sealing chamber, a control valve for successively causing said pipes to communicate with a source of vacuum while steam is being admitted to the chambers, means associated with each sealing chamber for lifting the caps from the containers, and means for sealing the caps on the containers.

5. An apparatus for sealing caps on containers, including a continuously rotating carrier having a plurality of outwardly opening sealing chambers, a stationary casing partly surrounding the carrier and closing the sealing chambers during a part of the rotation of the carrier, said casing having an inner channel extending part way therearound and communicating with 7. An apparatus for sealing caps on containers, including a sealing chamber adapted to receive containers to be sealed, means for the sealing chambers, means for delivering steam to said channel and thence to the sealing chambers, a vacuum cup associated with each chamber for lifting the caps from the containers, a pipe associated with each chamber and communicating with the vacuum cup, means ior raising and lowering the vacuum cup, a second pipe communicating with each sealing chamber, a control valve causing the first-mentioned pipes to successively communicate with a source of vacuum and successively communicate with the atmosphere, and said valve causing the second-mentioned pipes to successively communicate with a source of vacuum while steam is being delivered to the sealing chambers, and means for sealing the caps on the containers.

6. An apparatus for sealing caps on containers, including a continuously rotating carrier having a plurality of sealing chambers, means for closing the sealing chambers during a part of the rotation of the carrier, means for admitting steam to the closed chambers, a vacuum cup associated with each chamber for lifting the caps iromthecontainers, a source of vacuum and a control valve for causing the vacuum cups to be vacuumized and subsequently vented to the atmosphere, and said control valve causing the application of vacuum to the sealing chambers while steam isbeing delivered thereto, and means forsealing the caps on the containers.

admitting steam to the sealing chamber, a vertically reciprocable sealing head shank, a sealing head carried thereby, a vacuum cup holder carried by the sealing head shank, the vacuum cup holder being movable vertically relatively to the sealing head shank, a vacuum cup carried by the holder, means for vacuumizing and venting the vacuum cup, and means for moving the sealing head toward and from the container.

8. An apparatus for sealing caps on containers, including a continuously rotating carrier having a plurality of sealing chambers, means for closing the chambers during a part or the rotation of the carrier, means adapted to connect the chambers with a source of steam or a source of vacuum, other means for connecting the chambers with a source of vacuum, said lastmentioned source of vacuum exhausting steam from the chambers while steam continues to be admitted thereto and during the continued rotation of the carrier, and means for sealing the caps on the containers.

9. An apparatus for sealing caps on containers, including a continuously rotating carrier nected with a source of steam or a source of vacuum, other means for connecting the chambers with a source oi! vacuum, said last-mentioned source of vacuum exhausting steam from the chambers while steam continues to be ad- 

